Signoe of two-thieds to eichaed m



( No Model.)-

W. E. WRIGHTON.

HEEL PLATE 0R GUARD. I No. 368,120. Patented Aug. 9', 1887.

WITNESSES N, FEI'E'ES. Pmwumo m. Walhlngtcn. n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ELLSON WRIGHTON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AS-

SIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO RICHARD M. POPHAM AND DANIEL 1?.

DIETERIGH, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

HEEL PLATE OR GUARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,120 dated August 9, 1887.

Serial No. 237,550.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, XVILLIAu ELLsoN WRIGHTON, a subject of the Queen of Great Britaimresiding in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvemement in Guards for Boot or Shoe Heels, 'which improvement is.

fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a rotatable annulus which is placed within the lifts of a boot or shoe heel, and adapted to prevent running down of the same, said annulus being rotatable, so as to present a fresh surface, and provided with means for rotating the same.

Figure 1 represents a bottom plan view of a heel-guard embodying my invention; Fig. 2 represents a vertical'section thereof. Fig. 3 represents a perspective View of the heelguard, on an enlarged scale, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, detached from the boothcel and inverted.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a rotatable annulus, which has on its outer circumference a flange, B, and on its inner circumference lugs 0, all formed together of cast metal. The annulus is freely fitted within the lifts of a boot or shoe heel, so that its lower edge is flush with the tread thereof, especially at the rear, whereby a metallic surface is presented at said tread for preventing running down of the heel. As the heel and annulus wear down the rear of the lower edge of the annulus may become irregular or angular. For this purpose the annulus is rotated, so that a fresh surface of the lower edge thereof is presented at the rear of theheel. The flange l3 prevents displacementof the annulus without interfering with the rotation thereof.

The rotation of the heel is accomplished by inserting an implement within the same, so as to engage with the lugs G, and then rotating the implement as a wrench.

Within the annulus is fitted a plug, D, of cork, rubber, or other suitable material,which prevents the entrance of dirt, and provides a friction-surface for preventing slipping of the heel. Should the exposed edge of the annulus become smooth, the lugs O serve to compress or clamp the plug in position and prevent displacement thereof.

The device is of simple and inexpensive construction and admirably adapted for the purpose intended.

I am well aware that it is common to employ a plate for a boot-heel formed of a single piece of metal having a flanged rim for securing the same in said heel; but I am not aware that the peculiar construction herein described is old, the same consisting of a single piece of hollow material having a hollow circumferential outer flange, by means of which it is readily secured in place, and lugs projecting from the lower portion of the inner face, whereby a filling of cork or rubber is readily kept within the plate without the use of a screw or nail.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An improved heel-plate consisting of a rotatable annulus or annular open plate having a circumferential flange on its periphery, at the upper part thereof, and lugs O on its inner wall, at the lower part thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a heelguard, a rotatable annuluswil-h a flange on its outer circumference, lugs on its inner circnmference,and a plug inserted within the an nulns and retained by saidlugs,substantiall y as described.

WILLIAM ELLSON WRIGIIION.

VVitn esses:

J ornv A. Winnnnsnnnu, A. 1?. JENNINGS. 

